Yesterday Robert and I took Charlie to Sugar Land Memorial Park to see The Wall That Heals, a half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Charlie giving the Cub Scout salute
Charlie’s Nanda (Robert’s father) and great grandfather (Papa) on my side served in the military along with various cousins, uncles and aunts. I wanted to show Charlie the Wall and explain to him the importance of it, especially since it is Memorial Day weekend.
Charlie asked questions about the Memorial, the names and what it all means. Trying to explain the importance of Remembering on a 7 year old level was challenging, much less what the Vietnam Was was about.
The trailer has a mini-exhibit with photos and letters from soldiers and their families. Charlie wanted us to read every letter posted out loud. So we did.
Charlie measuring his height against the list of names
As we walked up and down the length of the wall Charlie would stop and put his hand out to measure his height against the height of the names. At this point Charlie turned to me and said “Oh my gosh Mommy, the names are bigger than me!” as he stretched to place his hand level to the top list of names.
I am proud of Charlie. He was respectful, listened and asked questions. I want our son to Remember those who gave and are giving their lives for us, our country and our freedoms.
If you are in the Sugar Land area, the Wall will be in the Sugar Land Memorial Park through today. There is a special Memorial Day ceremony scheduled at 10am. I highly recommend you stop by at some point and pay your respects.
Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to our armed forces, past and present, and their families for the sacrifices made.
Elizabeth
What a beautiful lesson to teach your son, especially on Memorial Day.
I was fourteen when I saw the real wall back east. The number of names was ovewhelming. It was impossible not to be reverent there. It’s probably my favorite memorial.
We must never forget.
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I saw the original wall when I was in college. My mom was with me and it really impacted her. Together we looked for names she knew.
It is definitely the memorial that has impacted me the most which is why I wanted our son to see it.
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Ive seen the one in DC but I never realized that there was a small replica so close to home!
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The replica travels around the country so Vietnam and other veterans who can’t or won’t make the trip to DC get a chance to see it. I was pleased to find it nearby over the holiday weekend. You can check out the tour schedule at http://www.vvmf.org/twthtour
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That is so neat! I’ve seen the real wall, too, and it’s amazing. What a wonderful tribute to those who have died for our country.
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Stopping by from the SITS Saturday sharefest.
First of all, this is a beautiful post.
Secondly, congratulations on being featured on Blog Her! 🙂
Finally, I am totally from Sugar Land!! So exciting. I graduated from Dulles High School (a long ago, of course!). Go Vikings!
Anyway, so glad I stopped by!
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How cool you’re from Sugar Land! Small world isn’t it? We’re in Missouri City, Quail Valley area.
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NO WAY! I grew up in Quail Valley!! Email me what street/area you live in…don’t worry, I won’t come ring your doorbell or anything, I live in Charlotte, NC now. 🙂
thedoseofreality recently posted..The Dose of Reality’s Summer Reading GIVEAWAY!
Wow. What a neat memory for him.
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